Nelson Mandela in Critical Condition

NELSON MANDELA: Before becoming one of the most prolific figures in African history—and the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election—Mandela was an adoptee. Upon his birth father's death, Mandela was adopted as a young child by a tribal chief in his native East Cape Province, South Africa. After his adopted father died, he was again adopted, at the age of 9, by a tribal official and would grow up under his parenting until his late teens.

Nelson Mandela’s medical team says the 94-year old former South African President’s condition has become critical in the last 24 hours.

President Jacob Zuma visited Mandela Sunday evening and said in a statement that doctors are “doing everything possible to get his condition to improve.”

Mandela was hospitalized on June 8 for what the government said was a recurring lung infection.